Use of biofertilizers for a more profitable and sustainable sugarcane production in Mexico, Biofábrica Siglo XXI

Abstract

The current model of agricultural production, inherited from the so-called 'green revolution' that took place during the second half of the 20th century, is a model that shows clear symptoms of depletion, because it is an expensive, inefficient and highly polluting model. This model allowed an increase in agricultural production, but with a high ecological cost, since the agrochemicals used, particularly fertilizers, are very inefficient and highly polluting. In the search for alternatives that can respond to the challenges faced by agricultural production, in recent years, biological solutions have been developed using agrobiotechnology. An example of these developments are biofertilizers, whose basis is the use of live microorganisms for the nutrition and development of crops, as well as the improvement of soil fertility. 

The Mexican company, Biofábrica Siglo XXI, has been developing agro-biotechnological alternatives for two decades to promote a more efficient and ecological agricultural production system. In sugarcane, they have managed to: 1) increase productivity; 2) increase producer profit; 3) reduce the application of chemical fertilizers up to 75%; 4) improve soil microbial life; 5) increase root development; 6) increased carbon sequestration.